group is defined as any group of individuals requiringsimilar training. For example, all personnel of a division,a gun crew, or an engineering watch team or all officersof the deck would constitute individual groups.DAMAGE CONTROL TRAININGEach ship must establish and maintain a traineddamage control training team (DCTT). Wheneverpossible, the executive officer should serve as the DCTTteam leader.The purpose of the DCTT is to train the shipsdamage control organization to use current fleet damagecontrol techniques. The DCTT observes and evaluatesall in-port emergency teams, general quarters repairlockers, and the at-sea fire party. The DCTT may alsoevaluate the setting of material conditions, performdamage control preventive maintenance, and validatecompartment checkoff lists.DCTT members should be the most qualified andmotivated personnel on board the ship. Theeffectiveness of the DCTT is proportional to the level ofcommand support for a strong qualification program. Ata minimum, DCTT members should be PQS-qualifiedin general damage control and in advanced damagecontrol to at least the level of the watch station themember is designated to evaluate. They should also haveproven leadership abilities, surface warfare officer(SWO)/enlisted surface warfare specialist (ESWS)qualification, and formal damage control schooling.The ship should establish a DCTT training programto train replacement personnel. As part of that training,the program should require those personnel to observedamage control drills and to become familiar with theirassigned watch station. It should also train them tocritique a main space fire drill. The appropriate levels ofthe chain of command should record and review theirtraining accomplishments as part of the formalqualification process.To build confidence in damage control parties, thetraining program should simulate actual casualties asrealistically possible. Simulations should be strictlylimited and authorized only for the safety of equipmentand personnel. DCTT members should monitor allaspects of the exercise and act as safety observers.Figure 5-2 provides a listing of training devices,disclosures, and simulations that enhance realism.Figure 5-3.-Shipboard training organization.TRAINING ORGANIZATIONThe commands administrative organization shouldinclude provisions for training. Figure 5-3 shows atypical shipboard training organization.PLANNING BOARD FOR TRAININGThe planning board for training (PBFT) is theprincipal organization through which the commandstraining is formulated and carried out. The boardsultimate goal is to produce well-trained and qualifiedpersonnel.Responsibilities and Function of the PBFTThe PBFT is responsible to the commanding officerfor developing a training program that is compatiblewith the command mission. The board will proposepolicies, methods, and procedures for executing thecommand training program and integrate those ideasinto immediate and long-range training objectives. It5-11